Adjustable armrest

Abstract

An armrest mounted to a base and a method of inhibiting the movement of an armrest is disclosed. The armrest comprises an armrest support member adapted to be coupled to the base, the armrest support member being movable in a linear direction between a first position and a second position. The armrest also includes a release mechanism configured to selectively engage the armrest support member to retain the armrest support member between the first position and the second position. The method comprises operating the user interface to reduce friction between the cam and the rail sufficient to permit movement of the armrest support member, moving the armrest support member between the forward position and the rearward position, and releasing the user interface whereby the cam applies sufficient friction to inhibit movement of the armrest support member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle armrest mounted to a base, the armrest comprising:
 an armrest support member adapted to be coupled to the base, the armrest support member movable in a linear direction between a first position and a second position; 
 a release mechanism configured to selectively engage the armrest support member to retain the armrest support member between the first position and the second position, the release mechanism including a rail and at least one cam member configured to pivot between an engaged position with the rail and a disengaged position with the rail; 
 wherein the armrest support is movable between the first position and the second position when the at least one cam member is in the disengaged position; 
 wherein the first position is a forward position and the second position is a rearward position. 
 
     
     
       2. The armrest of  claim 1  wherein the armrest support member is frictionally retained at any point along a range of movement thereof. 
     
     
       3. The armrest of  claim 2  wherein the release mechanism comprises a pair of cam members that releasably and variably engage the rail. 
     
     
       4. The armrest of  claim 3  wherein the pair of cam members are biased to frictionally engage the rail. 
     
     
       5. The armrest of  claim 3  wherein the pair of cam members each comprise a first cam on a first side of the rail and a second cam on a second side of the rail opposite the first side. 
     
     
       6. The armrest of  claim 1  wherein the release mechanism comprises a user interface that is movable between an actuated position and a neutral position, wherein the actuated position pivots the at least one cam member so that a surface on the at least one cam member pivots away from its engagement with the rail. 
     
     
       7. The armrest of  claim 6  wherein the user interface is biased in the neutral position. 
     
     
       8. The armrest of  claim 6  wherein the actuated position is in a direction substantially the direction of the desired movement of the armrest support member. 
     
     
       9. The armrest of  claim 8  wherein the actuated position is a forward position whereby the armrest support member is movable toward the forward position. 
     
     
       10. The armrest of  claim 6  wherein the user interface is at least partially recessed in at least one of the base and the armrest support member. 
     
     
       11. The armrest of  claim 6  wherein the user interface is operated by a user gripping the user interface and pivoting it toward the actuated position proximate the armrest support member. 
     
     
       12. The armrest of  claim 11  wherein the user interface is pivoted by squeezing it toward the actuated position proximate the armrest support member. 
     
     
       13. The armrest of  claim 1  further comprising one or more guides mounted to the base and slidably coupled to the rail. 
     
     
       14. A vehicle console comprising:
 a base; 
 an armrest support member coupled to the base and movable in a linear direction between a first position and a second position; 
 a release mechanism configured to selectively engage the armrest support member to retain the armrest support member between the first position and the second position, the release mechanism including a rail and at least one cam member configured to pivot between an engaged position with the rail and a disengaged position with the rail; 
 wherein the armrest support is movable between the first position and the second position when the cam member is in the disengaged position; 
 wherein the armrest support member is frictionally retained at any point along a range of movement thereof. 
 
     
     
       15. The vehicle console of  claim 14  wherein the release mechanism comprises a pair of cam members that releasably engage the rail. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle console of  claim 15  wherein the pair of cam members are biased to frictionally engage the rail. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle console of  claim 15  wherein the pair of cam members each comprise a first cam on a first side of the rail and a second cam on a second side of the rail opposite the first side. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle console of  claim 14  wherein the release mechanism comprises a user interface that is movable between an actuated position and a neutral position. 
     
     
       19. The vehicle console of  claim 18  wherein the user interface is biased in the neutral position. 
     
     
       20. The vehicle console of  claim 18  wherein the actuated position is in a direction substantially the direction of the desired movement of the armrest support member. 
     
     
       21. The vehicle console of  claim 18  wherein the user interface is operated by a user gripping the user interface and pivoting it toward the armrest support member. 
     
     
       22. The vehicle console of  claim 14  wherein the base is one of a console and a liner. 
     
     
       23. The armrest of  claim 14  wherein the armrest is selectively positionable between a forward position and a rearward position. 
     
     
       24. A method of inhibiting the movement of a vehicle armrest that includes a base and an armrest support member movable between a forward position and a rearward position, the method comprising:
 providing a release mechanism having a user interface and a cam member reasonably engageable with a rail; 
 operating the user interface pivots the cam to disengage the rail so that friction is reduced between the cam and the rail sufficient to permit movement of the armrest support member; 
 moving the armrest support member between the forward position and the rearward position; 
 releasing the user interface whereby the cam pivots to engage the rail to applies sufficient friction to inhibit movement of the armrest support member. 
 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  wherein the armrest support member is positionable at any point along a range of movement thereof. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25  wherein the friction may be applied continuously along the range of movement of the armrest support member. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 24  wherein the step of operating the user interface to reduce friction comprises applying a first force to the user interface in a direction substantially the direction of the desired movement of the armrest support member. 
     
     
       28. The armrest of  claim 24  wherein the step of operating the user interface to reduce friction comprises gripping the user interface and pivoting it toward the armrest support member. 
     
     
       29. The armrest of  claim 28  wherein the step of operating the user interface to reduce friction comprises squeezing it toward the armrest support member.